Mobile Biochemical Testing Cart for On-Site Sample Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biochemical testing systems in healthcare environments are laborious and costly due to the need for healthcare professionals to transport samples between patient locations and laboratory facilities, leading to potential sample loss or contamination.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic system comprising a robotic cart equipped with a cartridge for sample analysis and a control platform that allows autonomous navigation within a healthcare environment, enabling on-site biochemical testing by transporting necessary supplies and equipment to the operator, including interferometric sensors for analyte detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If samples are transported between patient locations and laboratory facilities, then biochemical testing can be performed, but testing time and costs increase, and sample loss or contamination may occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transporting samples from patient locations to laboratory facilities, the system inverts the approach by bringing the laboratory equipment (robotic cart with analyzer) to the patient location. This eliminates the need for sample transport while maintaining testing capability, thereby reducing testing time and preventing sample loss or contamination during transit.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic cart serves as an intermediary between the patient location and the laboratory facility. It is equipped with an analyzer that can perform biochemical testing on-site, acting as a mobile laboratory that bridges the gap between patients and fixed laboratory infrastructure, thereby eliminating the need for physical sample transport.
2Measurement precision
If samples are transported between patient locations and laboratory facilities, then biochemical testing can be performed, but sample loss or contamination may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system inverts the traditional workflow by bringing the analyzer to the sample source rather than transporting samples to the analyzer. This eliminates exposure to transport-related risks such as contamination, spillage, or degradation, thereby maintaining sample integrity while still enabling biochemical testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic cart is self-sufficient with its own analyzer and reagent storage, allowing it to perform testing independently without requiring sample transport to an external laboratory. This self-contained capability ensures sample integrity by keeping the sample within a controlled environment throughout the testing process.
3Measurement precision
If healthcare professionals transport samples manually, then biochemical testing can be performed, but labor costs and testing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the manual mechanical process of sample transport with an automated robotic system. The robotic cart autonomously navigates to patient locations and performs testing, substituting human labor with automated machinery, thereby reducing labor costs and increasing testing efficiency while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic cart acts as an automated intermediary that handles the entire testing process from sample collection to analysis without human intervention in the transport and processing stages. This automation eliminates manual labor requirements while maintaining testing accuracy through standardized, programmable procedures.
4Measurement precision
If fixed laboratory facilities are used, then biochemical testing can be performed, but the system lacks mobility and flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static fixed laboratory facility to a dynamic mobile robotic cart that can move throughout the healthcare environment. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different patient locations and clinical settings while maintaining testing accuracy through standardized analytical procedures on the robotic platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic cart is designed as a universal platform that can perform biochemical testing at multiple locations within the healthcare facility. It combines the analytical capabilities of a fixed laboratory with the mobility to serve various patient areas, thereby providing both testing accuracy and system flexibility simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces testing time and costs, minimizes sample handling errors, and ensures prompt results by allowing biochemical tests to be conducted locally, reducing the distance samples need to be transported and enhancing sample management.
Implementation Method 1
the robotic cart includes an analyzer configured to analyze the sample
Data Source
AI summary
Introduced here are diagnostic systems that are able to autonomously move to a desired location within a healthcare environment. As such, a diagnostic system may allow an operator to conduct a biochemical test on site. A diagnostic system may include (i) a cartridge in which a patient sample can be deposited, (ii) a robotic cart in which the cartridge can be inserted for analysis, and (iii) a control platform that is responsible for managing movement of the robotic cart throughout its physical environment. In addition to having the components needed to analyze the sample deposited into the cartridge, the robotic cart could also include storage for “used” or “unused” cartridges. Thus, the robotic cart may not only be able to perform analysis of the sample on site, but the robotic cart may also be able to transport all of the supplies needed to obtain the sample to the operator.